Press Release

20^th September 2000

McNeil Welcomes Huge Cash Boost for Inverclyde

Inverclyde’s public services are getting set to receive a massive cash injection. As a result of the Scottish Executive’s spending announcement, made today in the Scottish Parliament by Finance Minister, Jack McConnell, the NHS will receive a 15% real-terms increase. Inverclyde Council will receive a 10% real-terms increase to improve essential services such as education.

Today’s statement sets out how the Scottish Executive will spend the £3.4 Billion allocated to Scotland as a result of the UK Government’s Spending Review, which took place in July.

The cash injection will prioritise such important issues as:

• Community care; and
• Concessionary travel for pensioners.

Local Authorities

• Local authority spending will be increased by 10% in real terms.

Education

• Education expenditure will exceed £5bn for 1^st time ever.
• In Inverclyde, this amounts to £1000 per person per year.

Health

• NHS spending will be increased by 15% in real terms over the next 3 years.
• In Inverclyde, this amounts to £1000 per person per year.

Further announcements will be made in the coming weeks regarding allocating resources to youth crime and drug addiction.

The news has been warmly welcomed by MSP for Greenock & Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, who said:

"This is great news for Inverclyde. Great news for every pupil, pensioner, passenger, parent and patient in Inverclyde.

"This cash injection will allow us to deliver on our priorities of modernising schools, improving health and revitalising public transport. It will help us continue our regeneration and deliver first class public services to every Inverclyde resident."

ENDS

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